Artist Spotlight: The All-Knowing Head

'Mad Mad World Comics', a long-running series from the mind of 'TheAllKnowingHead', recently made its 29seven20 debut... today we take a brief glimpse into the universe of Richard Cabeza, a Lancaster area comic artist. You can find the weekly syndication of 'Mad Mad World Comics' on 29seven20.com each Sunday... or– if you just can't wait, visit the MMWC archive!

How long have you been creating comics (and what got you started)? I started doing comics (on and off) about 6 years ago. It made for a good creative outlet while taking a break from a couple of bands I used to play in. Drawing was something that I enjoyed as a kid and for most of my school life– so it was a convenient fit when I decided to do something more artistic and self-sufficient... comics and gags just seemed like the thing to do. What other kinds of pictures evoke a physical reaction (a chuckle or laugh) like that of a good joke? So I started drawing comics in MS Paint and posting them on free websites for the sake of preservation and public display. To this day, I have maintained that simple formula with MAD MAD WORLD COMICS– not only because I'm cheap, but also to prove that anybody else can do the exact same thing. Besides, there's a certain amount of rebellion in every cartoon that I find comforting.

Do you have any influences? I like most comics. Some more than others. Of course I like the classics; Peanuts, B.C., and The Far Side... but my favorite is Bizarro by Dan Piraro...that guy's a genius!

How do you develop your ideas? That's easy...life! My ideas come from life. It's the one thing we all have in common. The more screwed up something is, the easier it is to make fun of it. You've heard the saying "Sometimes you have to laugh to keep from crying." Well– I like to think that I help that process along.

You're also a musician- can you tell us a little about that? Yeah, I do a little music on the side. I never really chased the dream of being a rock star or anything like that... I think I enjoyed the creative side of it more. But now I just participate in projects for my own personal enjoyment, with little consideration of the final product being something that impresses anyone but me. It sounds selfish I know, but it's true.

We heard you're currently deciphering the cosmic code... any interesting discoveries? Yes. While seeking a higher awareness, it is important to expose yourself to as much new knowledge as one can possibly concentrate on at any given time. Only then do we realize how little we truly know as we learn to think as living and reasoning creatures again instead of the pre-programmed life forms that we all have allowed ourselves to become. That and there's something crazy going on with numbers in general....something really crazy...that I can't explain...yet.

Anything else strange but true?

• TheAllKnowingHead once had lunch with a former Presidential Candidate and bumped into a prominent Kennedy while on the way.
• TheAllKnowingHead once applied for a Guiness Book of World Records attempt but they rejected his idea.
• TheAllKnowingHead can say the entire alphabet backwards 15 times in one minute.
• TheAllKnowingHead has insignificant psychic dreams and regularly experiences deja vu.
• TheAllKnowingHead once asked for a sign... and received one!

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Author's Note: Visit the MMWC archive... and be on the lookout for 29seven20's weekly feature of 'Mad Mad World Comics', to be posted each Sunday.